"Switch 2 microSD Express Cards: 128GB for $45"

In a recent 60-minute Nintendo Direct, Nintendo unveiled an extensive look at the upcoming Switch 2, revealing its price at $449.99 and its eagerly anticipated release date of June 5, 2025. Alongside these details, a lineup of exciting new games was showcased. Notably, the Switch 2 will exclusively support microSD Express Cards for storage expansion, marking a significant departure from the storage options of its predecessor.

This means that when you get your hands on the Switch 2 this summer, you won't be able to use your existing storage cards. Instead, you'll need to invest in microSD Express cards to expand your storage. Currently, SanDisk offers compatible cards on Amazon, including a 128GB card for $44.99 and a 256GB card for $59.99.

### SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card

1$64.99 save 8%$59.99 at Amazon
SanDisk 256GB microSD Express Card - $59.99 (was $64.99)
SanDisk 128GB microSD Express Card - $44.99 (was $49.99)

The Nintendo Switch 2 comes equipped with 256GB of internal storage, a notable increase from the original Switch's 32GB. This upgrade means you may not need to rush into purchasing additional storage immediately. However, considering that games for the Switch 2 could be significantly larger than those on the original console, you might want to think about storage expansion sooner rather than later.

For instance, while 'Tears of the Kingdom' on the original Switch was around 16GB, its Switch 2 version, along with other anticipated titles like 'Mario Kart World', could require far more space. Although specific file sizes for Switch 2 games remain undisclosed, it's reasonable to anticipate that they will demand substantial storage.

The decision to use only microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 marks a bold move by Nintendo. Here's why:

Why MicroSD Express for Switch 2?

Nintendo's shift to microSD Express cards for the Switch 2 reflects a significant advancement in portable storage technology. Traditional microSD cards cap out at 104 MB/s using the UHS-I interface, whereas microSD Express cards utilize PCIe and NVMe technology to achieve speeds up to 985 MB/s—nearly ten times faster. This speed boost is crucial for the Switch 2, ensuring it can handle larger, more demanding games without performance issues.

However, this technological leap comes with a notable downside: higher costs. For example, a 128GB microSD card for the original Switch might cost around $10-15, while a microSD Express card with the same storage capacity is priced at about $45. Additionally, microSD Express cards are not as widely available as standard microSD cards, with only a few manufacturers like SanDisk and Samsung producing them.

Nintendo's choice to adopt microSD Express cards is a forward-thinking move aimed at enhancing performance and future-proofing the console. Yet, it also means that users will face higher expenses for expandable storage.

If you're planning to purchase a Switch 2, be prepared to budget for these faster, albeit more expensive, memory cards. To delve deeper into everything Nintendo showcased during the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, you can click here.